As part of its long-term commitment to strengthening research capacity, the UR-DATA project organized a dedicated PhD Meet-up within the student session of the
XXX International Scientific Conference “Regional Development and Demographic Flows of South-Eastern European Countries”, held at the Faculty of Economics, University of Niš.
This activity brought together early-stage researchers, PhD students, and team members from UR-DATA partner institutions for an open exchange of ideas, research experiences, and collaborative learning.
A highlight of the session was the guest lecture by Prof. Claudia van der Laag from Oslo Metropolitan University, titled: “Developing Sustainable Regions Across Scales with a Multifractal Logic.” Prof. van der Laag presented advanced methods for analyzing regional dynamics, encouraging participants to think critically about spatial complexity, sustainability metrics, and how data science can inform urban and regional planning. The lecture offered practical value for doctoral students seeking to integrate interdisciplinary and quantitative approaches into their work.
The PhD meet-up was designed to foster dialogue between early-career researchers and senior project team members, provide feedback on emerging ideas, and introduce participants to data-based tools and methods developed within the UR-DATA project.
It also served as a platform to connect young scholars from different institutional and national backgrounds, paving the way for future research partnerships and involvement in international projects.
This meet-up is one of several events planned under the UR-DATA initiative to encourage mobility, knowledge sharing, and cross-border scientific dialogue—with a focus on applying smart data analytics to urban and regional challenges across the Western Balkans.
